Apparatus and method for cutting and harvesting infestations of aquatic vegetation and/or skimming algae/floting vegetation

ABSTRACT

A harvester and method for harvesting aquatic algae or floating vegetation in shallow areas of water bodies, such as lakes is described. The harvester is manually operated. The harvester moves on hollow wheels that are capable of adjusting the buoyancy of the harvester by adding or subtracting water/air into the hollow wheels. The aquatic algae or floating vegetation is collected on the harvester, removed from the harvester, dewatered and used for compost in garden and agricultural activities.

This patent application is a continuation in part of earlier patentapplication Ser. No. 10/244,282 filed Sep. 16, 2002 by Clarence W.Shonnard and entitled APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR CUTTING AND HARVESTINGINFESTATIONS OF AQUATICS VEGETATION IN SHALLOW AREAS OF WATER BODIES ANDNOW US PATENT

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

(1) Field of the Invention

The invention relates to an apparatus and method for cutting andharvesting infestations of bottom growing aquatic vegetation and/orskimming algae/floating vegetation in shallow areas of water bodies.

(2) Description of the Prior Art

Bottom growing nuisance aquatic plants and floating algae/floatingvegetation and degradation of waters for swimming, boating, fishing,aesthetic and health aspects by lake users and waterfront propertyowners. Currently these plants can be removed by physical, mechanical,chemical and biological methods each with significant drawbacks.

Physical methods, such as barriers disturb water-bottom ecology andoften result in gassing of decomposing plant like vegetation under thebarrier. Examples of such mat material are filtration mats, discardedrugs and thin sheets of metal plate.

Mechanical bottom cutting and drag devices such as commonly used rakelike tools and typical garden type cultivators that have transversebars, tines and handles stir up bottom sediments which release nutrientsback into the waters and disturb water bottom ecology. These nutrientsenhance further aquatic plant growth and digging up the bottom sedimentscan have a negative impact on the lake bottom ecology.

The following patents are examples of bottom, metal, drag-type cutterswhich dig up bottom sediment as well as not integrally harvesting thefloating cut aquatic plants. These floating plants can then reestablishthemselves in other areas of the water body. A further disadvantage ofthese water bottom drag-type cutters is that they are prone to beblocked or other wise interfered with during cutting by rocks, logs anddebris that have accumulated on the lake bottom. U.S. Pat. No. 6,250,054Kramer; U.S. Pat. No. 2,065,733 Pearson; U.S. Pat. No. 2,702,975Friesen; U.S. Pat. No. 2,790,297 Gardner; U.S. Pat. No. 3,601,956Akermanis; U.S. Pat. No. 3,601,956; U.S. Pat. No. 4,137,693 Thompson etal; U.S. Pat. No. 4,375,299 Laven; U.S. Pat. No. 3,863,237 Doer; U.S.Pat. No. 4,696,149 Hawk; U.S. Pat. No. 4,852,337 Peterson; U.S. Pat. No.5,189,867 Schmidt; and U.S. Pat. No. 5,493,850 Torkelson; each showmethods for cutting plants using a drag bar with a cutting edge. U.S.Pat. No. 4,999,982 Kriger describes the use of a dragging bar grate forcutting aquatic plants. U.S. Pat. No. 4,583,353 Shaver shows atriangular drag bar for cutting plants.

Chemical and biological methods are under investigation. However, thereis concern about these methods, because of questions of effectiveness,damage to water ecology, known and unknown water related human healthimpacts and possible liability considerations for the user.

Another type of plant cutting involves the commercial mechanical lakeweed harvesters having reciprocating knives and conveyors. Thesemachines with on-board power are heavy, complicated, costly andhazardous. Further, these machines are unworkable in shallow areas oflakes and other bodies of water, because of hydraulic boat draftproblems resulting in grounding of the harvester and engine coolingwater problems from intake of lake bottom sediments into the engine.Examples of commercial powered and mechanized lake weed harvesters areU.S. Pat. No. 4,616,588 Caddick; U.S. Pat. No. 3,238,708 Zickeford; andU.S. Pat. No. 5,404,696 Vasby. These harvesting units are expensive,require considerable maintenance, need US Coast Guard permits in USnavigable waters and require marine Workman's Compensation insuranceunder the Jones Act.

There are also wheeled garden rakes that are used on dry land. CoddingU.S. Pat. No. 4,945,996 and Foeller U.S. Pat. No. 5,287,935 are examplesof such dry land garden rakes.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A principal object of the present invention is to provide an effectiveand very manufacturable at a reasonable cost apparatus and method forusing the same for cutting and harvesting infestations of aquaticfloating algae and vegetation in shallow areas of water bodies, such aslakes.

A further object of the invention is to provide an improved, versatile,light-weight multifunctional harvesting device and method for skimmingfloating algae and other floating growing aquatic plants that minimizesthe problems of the current practices and can be operated manually byone person in shallow waters.

A further object of the invention provides a method that providesenhanced mobility of both the operator and the harvester by use of ananchored floating mooring with an attached pulley and rope connected tothe harvester and controlled manually by the operator to efficientlyharvest the bottom vegetation and/or the floating algae or floatingvegetation.

A still further object of the present invention is to provide animproved multifunctional mobile harvesting device for lake bottomgrowing plants and/or algae/floating vegetation and methods that guideplant stems into a cutting device above the water body bottom in shallowareas, collects the cut aquatic plants for transport to onshore sitesand eventual use in composting for garden and agricultural activities,that can be operated by one person with or without onshore power devicesand that removes phosphorus contained in the cut vegetation from thewater body.

These objects are accomplished by providing an improved harvestingapparatus that cuts or skims from the water surface aquatic plants at apredetermined distance above the lake or the like bottom using a planarhorizontal deck with a plurality of closely spaced planar metal barsthat efficiently guide the plant stems into confined spaces between theplurality of transverse bars until the stems become compacted within thespaces between the bars and eventually against the transverse stainlesssteel filaments or knife positioned at a predetermined distance from thedistal end of the metal deck bars where the steel filaments cut thewedged plant stems. The harvesting device with planar metal deck barsand transverse cutting filaments provide underwater cutting of the plantstems by movement of the harvester in either the forward or the reversedirection of motion with attachable cutting devices at both ends of theharvester.

A flexible plastic grid integral with the harvester collects the cut orskimmed algae or aquatic plants containing phosphorus and retains theplants until transported on the harvester to an onshore location formanual dumping by simple removal of the appropriate segments of theflexible plastic grid to the front or to the back of the harvester. Thecut or skimmed plants can then be dewatered, composted and the containedphosphorus used for garden or other agricultural purposes.

The harvester is provided with air-filled or a combination of water andair filled plastic wheels for easy mobility and buoyancy adjustment thatcan be moved by one person across the bottom of the water body tominimize the disturbance of the lake bottom sediment ecology as well aspassing over obstacles of rocks, logs and debris on the lake bottom andthat can be used to float the harvester so that algae and floatingvegetation can be skimmed from the water surface.

The harvester can be operated by one person in the water bottom or waterskimming mode using a rigid handle that can move up or down verticallyover a 180 degree arc for pulling or pushing the harvester apparatus inthe forward or reverse direction as needed, with or without the use ofonshore auxiliary power and that cuts aquatic plants moving in eitherdirection. The accessory plant cutting attachments needed for variationin plant stem cutting characteristics can be attached, such as withbolts to either end of the harvester deck.

The harvester buoyancy is balanced by the apparatus's weight andhydraulic buoyant forces by use of hollow plastic wheels havingair/water therein added to the deck that optimizes wheel penetrationinto the bottom sediments thereby enhancing manual mobility of theharvester by one person in shallow waters. This also minimizes thedisturbance of the water body bottom sediment ecology.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In the accompanying drawings forming a material part of thisdescription, there is shown:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the aquatic plant cutting and harvestingapparatus of the present invention.

FIG. 2A shows a plan view of the harvesting apparatus including hollowwheels and optional floatation and/or weight adjustment device of pipetube being water or air filled.

FIG. 2B is a front elevation view of the apparatus showing therelationship of the plant cutting filament to the water body bottom.

FIG. 2C is a side elevation view of the apparatus showing the verticalangle bars supporting flexible plastic grid or net for collecting cutplants.

FIG. 3 illustrates the deck frame assembly with vertical angle bars forsupport of plastic grid and adjusting height of cutting bar above thelake bottom.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the handle components for pulling orpushing the harvesting apparatus.

FIGS. 5A, 5B, 5C and 5D show three methods and optional devices of theinvention for abrading and cutting bottom growing aquatic plants.

FIGS. 6A, 6B, 6C and 6D display assembly details by elevation and planviews of two methods of the invention for cutting aquatic plant stemsusing easy bolt-on bars.

FIGS. 7A and 7B illustrate the method of manually operating theharvesting device on lake bottom by an elevation view of the verticallymobile handle and method of maintaining the plant cutting devices clearof bottom object and debris.

FIGS. 8A and 8B show perspective views of the harvesting apparatus beingpulled by offshore and onshore optional auxiliary powered devices.

FIGS. 9A, 9B and 9C show side and overhead views for operating theharvesting apparatus in both the bottom and skimming harvesting modes.

FIGS. 10A and 10B show views of the hollow wheels that can contain airand water to provide mobility and floatation adjustment for theharvester in either the bottom harvesting or skimming harvesting mode.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

The preferred embodiments disclose the novel multifunctional manualmobile harvesting device for lake or the like bottom growing plants andmethods that guide the plant stems into a cutting device above the waterbody bottom in shallow areas, collects the cut aquatic plants fortransport to onshore sites. The harvester can also be floated by meansof plastic air filled wheels that allow skimming of the algae or otherfloating vegetation on the water. Eventually the collected plants can becomposted for garden and agricultural use. This removes phosphoruscontained in the cut vegetation from the water body. The harvester canbe operated by a single person with or without onshore power devices.

Referring now more particularly to FIGS. 1 through 7B and in particularto FIG. 1 there is illustrated a mobile, multifunctional apparatus andmethod for cutting and harvesting nuisance bottom growing aquaticplants. The harvesting apparatus includes a frame 6 attached to an axel2 by for example “U” bolts 9. Wheels 1 on axel 2 are held in place bywashers 4 and cotter pins 3 to provide mobility for the harvester 1A.

Referring additionally to FIGS. 2A, 2B and 2C wherein FIG. 2A is anoverhead view, FIG. 2B is a front elevation view and FIG. 2C is a sideelevation view of harvester 1A of FIG. 1 without the push/pull handle17.

Referring to FIG. 3, the harvester deck 6 includes a horizontal,rectangular frame assembly of planar horizontal aluminum angle bars 8A,8B, 8C, and 8D connected as shown with, for example bolts 23 withwashers and nuts for attachment of a deck bottom 6 which supports theharvester 1A load of harvested aquatic vegetation. The deck 6 could bemade of perforated plywood, plastic or metal. The mobile harvester 1Adeck frame 6 includes front and back aluminum angles 8C and 8D which areassembled with vertical component of the aluminum angle bars 8C and 8Ddirected downward toward the lake bottom B for attachment of optionalcutting bars 20A as seen in FIGS. 5A, 5B, 5C, 5D with a plurality ofplanar, aquatic plant stem guides and compaction bars 5 with transversestainless steel cutting filament 7 having, for example wire diameter ofthe order of 0.01 to 0.029 inches. An optional attachment of replacementbar is shown in FIG. 5D using accessory transverse add-on bar 20A withtriangular knives 20B and metal cutting filament 7 or with optionalattachment of replacement bar 20A with planar threaded fastener guides20 with transverse cutting filament 7. Aquatic plant cutting filament 7is fastened to bars 5, 20B or 20C by filament tension hardware 24 shownin FIGS. 5B, 5C and 5D. It is an option of the operator to use thestainless steel cutting filament 7 with methods 20B or 20C to enhanceplant stem cutting efficiency where stem coarseness, strength or numberof plant stems per square foot is more efficient for any givensituation. Add-on optional attachment bars with 5, 20B or 20C are simplybolted onto the front or back aluminum angles 8C or 8D of the harvesterframe 6. Planar bars 5, triangular cutting blades 20B and threadedfasteners 20C guide and wedge plant stems into transverse cuttingfilament 7 which is common to 5, 20B or 20C alternatives.

Obviously, transverse cutting filament 7 or optional device could beattached in a moveable planar mode, for example, with a spring attachedat one end of device 7 connected by rope to a lever on handle 17 (notshown in drawings) and lever actuated manually by harvester operator tomove cutting device transversely through aquaticd vegetation to enhanceefficiency.

Referring to FIG. 5A, a fragmented and exploded view of planar deck 6 isshown wherein plant stem guide compaction bars and stainless steelfilament 7 illustrate aquatic plant stems 29 cut typically 6 to 8 inchesabove the lake bottom being compacted within the spaces between guidebars 5 and wedged against metal cutting filament 7 wherein plant stems29 are severed and cut plants 30 flow and are collected into plasticgrid or net 12. Obviously, the comaction and indexing process isapplicable to cutting methods 20B and 20C.

Referring to FIGS. 1, 3, and 5A, 5B, 5C, 5D, an important objective ofthe present invention is shown wherein the bottom growing aquatic plants30 in FIG. 5A are severed at a predetermined distance above the waterbody bottom B to minimize the disturbance of the lake bottom sedimentecology which could otherwise result in the release of benthicphosphorus back into the water and thereby enhancing more aquatic plantgrowth. This is achieved by limiting vertical movement of the cuttingbars 20A (transverse filament), 20B (planar, transverse triangularmowing knives) and 20C (planar screw-type bar guides), selectivelyattached to transverse harvester deck bars 8C and 8D, by use of eyebolts18A, 18B, 18C, 18D through harvester deck vertical angles 10A, 10B, 10C,10D at the appropriate distance from deck 6, and eyebolts 18E, 18Fthrough rigid harvester handle 17 at the appropriate distance from axel2 to line up with eyebolts 18A, 18B, 18C, 18D. The length of chains 14A,14B are adjusted so that quick links 14C, 14D when connected optionallyto eyebolts 18A, 18B and chain links 14A, 14B through handle 17effectively limit the aquatic plant cutting distance of bars 20A, 20Band 20C to a minimum of for example, about 6 inches above lake waterbottom B. FIG. 3 shows holes where bolts 13 will connect vertical andhorizontal angle bars with bolts 13 (not shown).

In addition to cutting aquatic vegetation above said water body bottom Bas described above the present invention positions the aquatic plantcutting devices 20A, 20A and 20C at sufficient distance above said waterbottom B so that harvester 1A can be pulled or pushed by one personabove and over the most common bottom laying objects, such as rocks R,logs L or debris D that would impede or block the manual pulling orpushing of the harvester along the water body bottom B as shown in FIG.7A and FIG. 7B.

A improved mobile multifunctional apparatus and method is shown in FIG.1 and FIGS. 2A, 2B, 2C, 2D where sections of flexible, plastic grid ornet illustrated as 12A, 12B, 12C, 12D, 12E, 12F collect cut aquaticplant stems 29 as the harvester is pulled or pushed through the waterbody. The plastic grid sections are attached to the vertical aluminumangle bars shown in FIG. 3 as 10A, 10B, 10C 10D of the harvester 1A bymeans of four upper and four lower eyebolts fastened to verticalaluminum angle bars using spring loaded metal snap hooks as needed toconnect the plastic grids to the harvester. Other means could be used tosecure the plastic grid or net to the harvester frame.

The front and back sections of plastic grid 12C and 12D as seen in FIG.1 are removable depending on the direction of said harvester 1A movementsuch that the cut aquatic plants 29 flow into the harvester plastic grid12A, B, C, D, E opposite to direction of motion of said harvester wherethe front section of the plastic grid 12D has been temporarily removedfor cutting. A section of plastic grid 12F previously placed on the deck6 of said harvester 1A before harvesting is started, is connected bysnap hooks at the bottom of back plastic grid 12D. 12E is the topplastic grid as seen in FIG. 1. For dumping the harvested water bodyvegetation at an onshore location the back section of said plastic grid12D is disconnected from the harvester aluminum frame verticals 10B and10C. By manually pulling plastic grid section 12D from the back to thefront of the harvester 1A, for example the cut vegetation is depositedonshore for dewatering and subsequent transporting to a compostinglocation for reuse of the nutrient phosphorus contained in the removedvegetation for gardening or other agricultural projects.

The push or pull handle 17 shown in FIGS. 1A, 4, and 7A can be operatedby one person from either end of said harvester. The vertically movablehandle 17 is comprised of a rigid pipe and appropriate fittings and isconnected to said harvester 1A at axel 2 inside of each wheel 1 torotatable, pipe “Tees” 16 at the inside of each wheel of said harvester1A as seen in FIG. 2A. The “Tees” 16 are fitted with nipple inserts onthe long axis and over axel 2 to take up slack of vertically mobilehandle 17. The handle 17 extending from the harvester axel 2 at eachwheel 1 are configured to a single rigid handle using standard pipe andfittings. A grip 19 composed of piping is useful for manually pushing orpulling harvester 1A offshore or on shore. As illustrated in FIG. 7B,the handle 17 is moveable vertically in an arc of 180 degrees to pull orpush said harvester 1A, cut and harvest aquatic plants by simply movingthe handle 17 overhead to the opposite end of the harvester.

Referring to FIGS. 6A and 6B, there is shown an optional cuttingstructure and method that use planar triangular knives. The planartriangular knives are attached with bolts to aluminum angle bars 20A andframe angle 8C at either front or back of the harvester frame. Thetransverse cutting filament 7 is shown, for example positioned about ½inch from the “V” notch formed by adjacent triangular cutting blades.

Referring now to FIG. 6C and FIG. 6D, there is shown a cutting structureand method that uses vertical plant stem guide and compaction bars 5bolted to optional attachment bar 20A. Transverse cutting filament 7 isshown passing through the bars 5 at a distance of, for example 1 inchfrom the support bar 20A.

Referring to FIGS. 8A and 8B, it is shown how the harvester can be usedwith the aid of onshore or offshore power equipment. Ring 19A isprovided at handle grip 19 for optional connection by rope, chain orcable to an offshore powered device, such as a boat seen in FIG. 8A oronshore tractor as seen in FIG. 8B or winch to move harvester 1A.

The mobility of the manual harvester 1A can be improved by balancing theloaded equipment weight against the harvester buoyancy. Since thein-water density of the harvested aquatic plants is about the same aswater, the in-water weight of the harvester 1A may be considered aconstant whether full or empty of harvested vegetation 29, exceptpossibly for friction factors. By adjusting air volume in the plasticwheel 1 and if necessary by attachment of a variable floatation device31 which can be air-filled or water-filled wheel to the harvester deck6, the wheel-load on the lake bottom B is adjusted for maximum mobilityof the harvester 1A for a given situation of lake bottom B firmness.

The following is the summary of a numbered part of this harvestingapparatus.

-   -   1A harvester    -   1 hollow wheels filled with air/water mixture    -   2 steel axel for harvester wheels    -   3 cotter pin through axel to hold wheels in place    -   4 washers to hold wheels in place against cotter pins    -   5 one of a plurality of vertical closely spaced planar metal        bars to guide plant stems into the cutting filament 7    -   6 harvester deck    -   7 transverse stainless steel filament or optional manual movable        cutting devices such as pulp wood saw or band saw blades        numerous teeth for cutting plant stems    -   8A,B,C,D horizontal aluminum angle deck frames to support deck        and aquatic plant cutting attachments    -   9 pipe “U” bolts for fastening deck frame to harvester axel    -   10A,B,C,D vertical aluminum angle bars to support flexible        plastic grid that collects cut aquatic plants    -   11 galvanized metal reinforcing plates for support of vertical        aluminum angle bars    -   12A,B,C,D,E separate sections of flexible plastic grid with        rectangular openings to collect cut aquatic plants    -   13 bolts for fastening the deck to horizontal aluminum angle        deck frame    -   14A,B chains to control height of cutter bar above lake bottom    -   14C,D metal quick links to connect chain and handle eyebolt to        limit vertical downward movement of the deck by connecting to        18A and 18B (FIG. 7B)    -   15 eye bolt through aluminum vertical angle for attachment of        flexible plastic grid with snap hooks    -   16 pipe “Tees” over axel to attach movable harvester    -   17 harvester handle    -   18A,B eye bolts through harvester handle to limit downward        vertical movement of harvester deck    -   18C,D,E,F eye bolt through the deck vertical aluminum angles        10A, 10B, 10C 10D for attachment to chains to control vertical        height of deck above lake bottom    -   19 handle grip of harvester 1A    -   19A steel ring connection for pulling harvester, on shore or off        shore with optional use of power devices    -   20A accessory transverse aluminum angle bar for attachment of        optional cutting methods such as triangular knives, metal guide        bars threshold guide bars and metal cutting filaments    -   20B planar triangular knives and metal cutting filaments    -   20C threaded guide bolts bars that abrade plant stems while        being compacted against metal stem cutting filaments    -   21 rope or cable for pulling harvester with optional powered        device offshore or onshore    -   22 pipe and fittings for extension of harvester handle assembly    -   23 harvester assembly bolts for each frame and attachable bars        with cutting devices    -   24 metal filament tension fitting    -   25 PVC pipe that is filled with either sand or air for harvester        buoyancy adjustment    -   26 bolts that fasten galvanized triangular reinforcing plates 11        to deck frame    -   29 cut vegetation stems    -   30 aquatic plants    -   31 optional buoyancy control tubes for harvester deck

The related Shonnard patent cited above highlights the bottom vegetationharvesting method and not the skimming method of removing algae andfloating vegetation from water surfaces. However, that patent does referto wheels filled with air or other media for adjusting the buoyancy andtherein the distance of the harvester deck above the water body bottom.This implies wheels of various sizes filled with a mixture of air andwater for the purpose of adjusting the harvester buoyancy so as tofunction (1) as a floating surface skimming device; (2) a harvestingapparatus moving along the water bottom and (3) a harvester functioningat any distance between the water surface and the bottom of the water.

Additionally, in both surface skimming and lake bottom harvesting modesuse of an anchored floating mooring buoy with a pulley and marine ropesattached to the harvester handle 17 in deep waters allows the harvester1A to be moved forward or in reverse direction manually from shallowwaters when buoyancy factors in deeper water result in the operatorlosing foot traction on the water bottom.

Referring to FIG. 9A, there is shown a side view of the harvester 1A inthe skimmer mode. In this mode the buoyancy of the plastic wheels areadjusted with air and water so that the harvester floats and can skimthe algae and floating vegetation (not shown). The use of the anchortied to a mooring ball with a rope or chain is shown. A pulley isattached to the mooring ball by rope to the harvester and to a floatcontrolled by the manual operator in shallow water. With this method itis possible to, with control, do the skimming of a water surface.

Referring to FIG. 9C, there is shown a side view of a harvester 1A inthe deep water bottom harvesting mode. In this mode the buoyancy of theplastic wheels are adjusted with air and water so that the harvester isat or close to the bottom to harvest and cut vegetation without damagingthe bottom of the water body. The anchor and pulley operation method isthe same as with FIG. 9A and controlled cutting of the vegetation ispossible without actually seeing the vegetation in deep water.

Referring to FIG. 9B, there is shown an overhead view that is applicableto both the skimming and bottom cutting modes. There is shown a float 40that is attached to handle 17 that allows the reversing harvesterdirection from shallow water by the manual operator.

Referring to FIG. 10A and FIG. 10B, there is shown one of the preferredwheels 1 that can be used as the means for providing the needed buoyancyof the harvester 1A. This wheel can be fabricated by moldingpolyethylene plastic into the hollow wheel shape. There are a chosennumber of openings 42 that extend into the hollow wheel. These openingsallow water/air to enter the hollow wheel to adjust the buoyancy of thewheel. Plugs 44 can be used to limit the air/water entrance into thewheel and to maintain the desired buoyancy.

Plugs 44 can be, for example, expandable and removable rubber or plasticplugs similar to those used in the stern of row or motor boats to drainrain water from the boats. By inserting or removing the plugs 44 fromthe preferred number of four holes drilled in the hollow plastic wheels1, harvester buoyancy can be adjusted by the ratio of air to waterinside the hollow wheels for manual harvesting operations along thewater body bottom or for skimming at the surface of the water body withthe multifunctional apparatus.

While the invention has been particularly shown and described withreference to the preferred embodiments thereof, it will be understood bythose skilled in the art that various changes in form and details may bemade without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

1. A manual mobile apparatus for harvesting aquatic algae or floatingvegetation in shallow areas of water that does not disturb the waterbottom ecology comprising: a perforated self-draining deck with wheelson a transverse axle; said wheels are hollow and are capable ofadjusting the buoyancy of said apparatus by adding or subtractingwater/air into said hollow wheel; said wheels are thermoplastic andmeans are provided to close holes in the wheels to maintain a desiredbuoyancy of the wheels having air and water within the wheels; meansattached to said deck including a flexible plastic grid enclosed on allsides and by a top cover to collect the cut aquatic vegetation; and amanual push or pull handle attached to said deck with wheels withvertical mobility from front to back over the deck that can reversedirection of motion without turning the apparatus.
 2. The harvester ofclaim 1 wherein said handle is vertically moveable in an arc of up to180 degrees so that said harvester can be pushed or pulled withoutturning said harvester.
 3. The harvester of claim 1 wherein said meansfor collecting said vegetation is a flexible plastic grid or net. 4.(canceled)
 5. The harvester of claim 1 and further comprising: anon-on-board power source to aid in the movement of said harvester. 6.(canceled)
 7. The method for harvesting surface growing algae orfloating vegetation that does not disturb the water ecology comprising:providing a harvester with a deck and wheeled means including hollowwheels connected to said deck; moving said harvester through saidvegetation at a set height above said water bottom; said set height isadjusted by means of the buoyancy of the hollow wheels of said deck andsaid wheeled means wherein water/air fills the hollow wheels to maintainbuoyancy; and providing an anchored floating mooring buoy with a pulleyand ropes attached to said harvester handle that allows the harvester tobe moved forward or in reverse direction and to controllably harvestsaid vegetation; and skimming, compacting and collecting said algae orvegetation on said deck wherein said water bottom ecology is unaffectedby the said harvesting.
 8. The method of claim 7 wherein moving saiddeck wheeled means is moved by a handle that can be moved in an arc ofup to 180 degrees so as to be able to either push of pull said harvesterwithout turning the harvester.
 9. The method of claim 8 wherein saidmoving said harvester is done with aid of a non-on-board power source.10. The method of claim 9 wherein said non-on-board power source iscarried on a boat which has a connection to said harvester to aid insaid moving of said harvester.
 11. The method of claim 9 wherein saidnon-on-board power source is carried on the shore which has a connectionto said harvester to aid in said moving of said harvester. 12.(canceled)
 13. A manual mobile apparatus for harvesting aquatic algae orfloating vegetation in shallow areas of water that does not disturb thewater bottom ecology comprising: a perforated self-draining deck withwheels on a transverse axle; said wheels are hollow and are capable ofadjusting the buoyancy of said apparatus by adding or subtractingwater/air into said hollow wheel; means attached to said deck includinga flexible plastic grid enclosed on all sides and by a top cover tocollect the cut aquatic vegetation; a manual push or pull handleattached to said deck with wheels with vertical mobility from front toback over the deck that can reverse direction of motion without turningthe apparatus; and an anchored floating mooring buoy with a pulley andropes attached to said mobile apparatus handle that allows the apparatusto be moved forward or in reverse direction and to controllably harvestsaid vegetation.
 14. The method for sequentially first cutting andharvesting bottom growing aquatic vegetation and second harvestingsurface growing algae or floating vegetation in shallow areas of waterthat does not disturb the water bottom ecology comprising: providing aharvester with a deck wheeled means connected to said deck and meansattached to said deck including a flexible plastic grid enclosed on allsides and by a top cover to collect the cut aquatic vegetation; firstmoving said harvester through said vegetation at a first set heightabove said water bottom to cut said bottom growing vegetation;compacting sad vegetation and wedging the vegetation against a cuttingmeans for cutting said vegetation; cutting and collecting the cut saidvegetation on said deck into said flexible plastic grid wherein saidwater bottom ecology is unaffected by the said cutting and harvesting;secondly moving said harvester at a second set height above said waterbottom to harvest said surface growing algae or floating vegetation; andremoving said flexible plastic grid from said deck and disposing of thecut and floating harvested said vegetation from said flexible plasticgrid.